Instead of bemoaning the loss of old categories in classifieds, a strategy of developing new categories has turned into significant print classified revenue growth at the Times-Herald Record in Middletown, N.Y.

The Index-Journal of Greenwood, S.C., has introduced a new rate structure and guidelines for its classified advertising pages that have already boosted the number and types of ads appearing in the paper. The new structure emphasizes jobs, real estate and auto categories, in addition to free ads.

Stealing the value meal concept from McDonald's and the "Have it your way" slogan from Burger King, Creative Circle created some winning house ads for several of its classified redesign clients that saved time in the call center and increased upsell sales at the same time.